A letter to the Humboldt Bronco Family…  
by Don Liesemer

As good-byes are said to a son, husband, father, grandson, brother, a teammate, a friend…

Please be assured that the whole hockey world grieves with and prays for you in this hour of deep sadness…  

The confusing twists and mysteries of life and death cannot be explained.

This understanding is reserved for God alone.

The Apostle Paul was mystified: “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror…”

Even God's own Son called out, "Why, God? Why?" in his hour of grief and suffering on the cross.

God knows your pain and sadness and understands your bewilderment and doubt, and even your anger and bitterness. Yes, He understands. These brave young Broncos and their coaches were loved by God.

Let us remember that He also lost His Son.  He watched Him die a cruel death on the cross.

He knows your pain. He hurts with you today. His heart aches. He cares.

"There is no one like God.
He rides across the heavens to help you,
across the skies in majestic splendor.

The eternal God is your refuge,
and his everlasting arms are under you"

(Deut. 33:26-27a, NLT).

¨     God could not have loved these players and their coaches more than He did right from the beginning of their lives.

¨     Their lives had great significance.

¨     Created by God—the author and giver of life. They had immense value.

¨     They died while fulfilling the passion of their lives… inspiring others around them…

¨     They were in an intense play-off series and going for it

¨     Let their lives inspire all hockey players everywhere to:

• Be the one in life who goes for it.
• Be the one in life who takes the shot.
• Be the one in life who goes after your dream.

Their grit and determination to win is expressed by the Apostle Paul:

"Remember that in a race everyone runs,
but only one person gets the prize.
You also must run in such a way that you will win"

(1 Corinthians 9:24, NLT).

The greatest love story the world will ever know took place at the cross of Jesus Christ.

His painful death offers hope and makes redemption and forgiveness possible for those who believe.

We all need hope—the hockey community needs hope—

God offers hope in Christ's death and resurrection.

The God we worship is a God of grace and mercy. He loves everyone equally and his love never ends.

The Lord who loved these Bronco players and their coach loves you. He died for them and He died for us as well. And Jesus rose from the dead. He is alive and He's with us today.

God gently calls to you through your sorrow to lift your tear-filled eyes to a loving Savior who says:

"Come to me,

all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens,

and I will give you rest"

(Matthew 11:28, NLT).

I have experienced this love and care as I have walked with hockey friends in pain.

One of the most touching testimonies of God tenderly meeting someone in his hour of pain was expressed by Roger Neilson.

During his long and courageous battle with cancer he would talk with the Lord in the dark lonely hours of the night and ask Him to take him in his loving arms and hold him.

Roger would say that God hugged him every time. You can ask God to put His arms around you and hug you.